Portable sound attenuating device and related methods

ABSTRACT

Implementations of a portable soundproofing enclosure may include: four side panels coupled together, a top panel coupled to each of the four side panels, the four side panels and the top panel, the top panel including a fan. The panels may form a cavity sized to fully enclose a portable generator. At least two of the four side panels may include an air dam. At least one of the side panels may have a plurality of louvers configured to allow air to be drawn through the panel. The bottom edges of the sides may be configured to rest on a mat.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This document claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Applications 62/139,639 and 62/141,149 entitled “Portable SoundAttenuating Device and Related Methods” to Dave Leedy which were filedon Mar. 27, 2015 and Mar. 31, 2015, respectively, the disclosure of eachof which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Aspects of this document relate generally to portable soundproofingenclosures, such as enclosures used for decreasing the sound of agenerator.

2. Background Art

Conventionally, using a generator to provide power in remote locationsor during an emergency creates a lot of sound. Conventionalsoundproofing enclosures have been devised that are fixed to thegenerator which serve to attenuate the noise. Other conventionalsoundproofing enclosures are built at a location attached to the groundand the generator is placed inside.

SUMMARY

Implementations of a portable soundproofing enclosure may include: fourside panels coupled together, a top panel coupled to each of the fourside panels, the four side panels and the top panel, the top panelincluding a fan. The panels may form a cavity sized to fully enclose aportable generator. At least two of the four side panels may include anair dam. At least one of the side panels may have a plurality of louversconfigured to allow air to be drawn through the panel. The bottom edgesof the sides may be configured to rest on a mat.

Implementations of a portable soundproofing enclosure include one, all,or any of the following:

The air dam may be formed from two walls comprised in each of the atleast two of the side panels.

There may be foam coupled to each of the two walls of the air dam.

There may be supports between the two walls of the air dam.

The panels may include a material selected from the group consisting ofwood, metal, thermoplastics, plastics or any combination thereof.

The side panels may be formed through injection molding.

The plurality of louvers may include one of metal, plastic, or anycombination thereof.

Implementations of a portable soundproofing enclosure may include: fourside panels coupled together, a top panel coupled to the four sidepanels and having a fan coupled thereto, and a mat removably coupled toa side of each of the four side panels opposing the top panel. The fourside panels may form a cavity sized to fully enclose a portablegenerator. At least one of the panels may have a plurality of louversconfigured to allow air to be drawn through the panel.

Implementations of a portable soundproofing enclosure include one, all,or any of the following:

The air dam may be formed from two walls comprised in each of at leasttwo of the four side panels.

The foam may be coupled to each of the two walls of the air dam.

There may be supports between the two walls of the air dam.

The panels may include a material selected from the group consisting ofwood, metal, thermoplastics, plastics, or any combination thereof.

The side panels may be formed through injection molding.

The louvers may include one of metal, plastic or any combinationthereof.

Implementations of a portable soundproofing enclosure may include: atleast three interlocking side panels, a top panel coupled to the atleast three interlocking side panels, the top panel comprising a fan,and a mat removably coupled to the at least three interlocking sidepanels. The at least three interlocking panels and the top panel form acavity sized to enclose a portable generator. At least one of the atleast three interlocking side panels comprises a plurality of louverstherein to allow air to be drawn through the panel.

Implementations of a portable soundproofing enclosure include one, all,or any of the following:

The air dam may be formed from two walls included in each of at leasttwo of the four side panels.

The fan may be a centrifugal fan.

The louvers may be movable.

The louvers may include at least one of metal, plastic and anycombination thereof.

The mat may include a material selected from the group consisting ofneoprene, rubber, plastic, and any combination thereof.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will beapparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from theDESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations will hereinafter be described in conjunction with theappended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable soundproofing enclosure(device);

FIG. 2 is a front view of the device;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the device;

FIG. 5A is a front view of a side panel of the device;

FIG. 5B is right side view of the side panel showing where the hingesattach to the side panel;

FIG. 5C is a left side view of the side panel showing the double wallson the panel;

FIG. 5D is a section view of the side panel taken along line 5D in FIG.5A;

FIG. 5E is a top view of the side panel;

FIG. 6A is a front view of another side panel of the device;

FIG. 6B is a back view of the other side panel of the device;

FIG. 6C is a sectional view of the other side panel taken alongsectional line 6C in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6D is a top view of the other side panel;

FIG. 6E is a left side view of the other side panel;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the side panels coupled togetherdepicting the interlocking panel feature of the device;

FIG. 7B is a top view of the interlocking feature of the side panels;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device on a mat;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the device showing the air channels on thesides and top of the device;

FIG. 10A break away view showing another implementation of the device;

FIG. 10B is a blown up view of the walls of a side panel illustratingthe air dam within the panel;

FIG. 11A is an inside view of the sound attenuating device showingspacing between the walls;

FIG. 11B is an inside view of the sound attenuating device showing thespacers added between the walls to increase the stability of the doublewalls;

FIG. 12A is perspective view of the device folded down for transport;

FIG. 12B is a front view of the device folded down for transport.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to thespecific components, assembly procedures or method elements disclosedherein. Many additional components, assembly procedures and/or methodelements known in the art consistent with the intended portablesoundproofing enclosure (device) will become apparent for use withparticular implementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, forexample, although particular implementations are disclosed, suchimplementations and implementing components may comprise any shape,size, style, type, model, version, measurement, concentration, material,quantity, method element, step, and/or the like as is known in the artfor such devices, and implementing components and methods, consistentwith the intended operation and methods.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one implementation of thedevice 2. The device is a portable soundproofing enclosure that can betransported to a location where a generator is to be used, assembled andplaced over the generator. The top panel of the device 4 is coupled tothe interlocking side panels 6 and 8. The top panel 4 and side panels 6and 8 form a cavity sized to fully enclose a portable generator. Asthere are different sizes of portable generators, the various panels 4,6, 8 may be of corresponding dimensions to allow the cavity to beappropriately sized. On the top panel of the device 4 is a fan 10 (belowthe surface of top panel 4). The fan is used to push the exhaust air outthe louvers 12 in the top panel 4. The louvers 12 may be self-closingwhen the fan 10 is turned off. This is done by having the louvers 12rotate about axles or pins coupled to openings in the top panel 4 andhave the force of the exhaust air from the fan 10 be sufficient to keepthe louvers in an open position. When the fan 10 stops running, theweight of the louvers 12 may be designed to cause the louvers 12 torotate to a closed position under gravity force. In variousimplementations, the fan 10 is powered by the generator itself. In thoseimplementations where movable louvers are used, if the fan 10 fails andstops operating while the generator continues to operate, the louverswill close. Because of this, the generator may consume the availablecombustion oxygen inside the enclosure before the generator overheats,causing the generator to “choke out” or stop operating. This feature ofthe device may increase the safety of the device and provide a fail-safeoverheating control system for the device.

The side panels of the device 6 and 8 may be coupled together bynon-limiting example by latches, hinges 14, or other fasteners. Thehinges 14 allow the side panels 6 and 8 to be folded together for easystorage and transportation of the device. The side panels 6 and 8 have aplurality of louvers 16 configured to allow air to be drawn through thepanel. The top panel 4 and side panels 6 and 8 may be formed from wood,metal, thermoplastics, plastics or any combination thereof.

Referring to FIG. 2, a front view of the device 18 is illustrated. Thisfigure illustrates the louvers 20 on the top panel of the device 22 andlouvers 24 on the side panels of the device. The louvers 20 allow air toflow out of the device to ventilate the generator within the device 18.Referring to FIG. 3, a side view of the device showing where the sidepanels 30 and 32 may be coupled together with hinges or latches 34 isillustrated. Referring to FIG. 4, a top view of the device 36 showingthe position of the fan 38 and top view of the louvers 40 isillustrated.

Referring to FIG. 5A, a front view of a side panel 42 of the device isillustrated showing louvers 44. FIG. 5B is a right side view of the sidepanel 42 of the device showing, by non-limiting example, the location ofa hinge 46 where the side panel may be coupled to another side panel.FIG. 5C is a left side view of the side panel 42 of the device. FIG. 5Cillustrates where an air dam 52 is formed from two walls 48 and 50 ineach of at least two of the side panels 42. The air dam 52 helps tomuffle the sound of a generator enclosed within the device. Theoperation of the air dam 52 is to create a non-line of sight path forthe sound waves from the generator to travel before exiting the walls48, 50. In this way, the sound waves are forced to reverberate againstthe walls of the air dam 52 and dissipate the energy in the sound wavesbefore being able to exit the walls 48, 50. Because of this, theamplitude and/or frequency of the sound waves is altered/reduced,providing a muffling/quieting effect. To further muffle the sound of agenerator foam may be coupled to each of the two walls 48 and 50 of theair dam 52. FIG. 5D is a cross section view of the side panel 42 takenacross line 5D in FIG. 5A illustrating an inside view of the intakevalves 44. FIG. 5E is a top view of the side panel 42.

Referring to FIG. 6A, a front view of another side panel 56 of thedevice is illustrated. The top panel of the device couples to the sidepanel at 58. Air exits the device through louvers 60. This side panel 56may be coupled to another side panel by hinges or latches at location62. FIG. 6B is a back view of the side panel 56. This is the view thatwould be seen inside the assembled device. The intake valves 64 arewhere air is pulled into the side panel from inside the box andeventually dispelled through the louvers 60 at the top of the side panel56 illustrated in FIG. 6A. This location of the intake valves 64increases sound attenuation of the generator noise because the soundwaves from the generator are forced to bounce around inside the air damof the side panel 56. FIG. 6C is a cross sectional view of the sidepanel 56 taken across lines 6C in FIG. 6A. FIG. 6C gives another view ofthe intake valves 64 and louvers 60 illustrated as 66. FIG. 6D is a topview of the side panel 56. The location of coupling the top panel of thedevice and side panel 56 is illustrated by 58. FIG. 6E is a left sideview of the side panel 56. The location of coupling another side panelto this side panel 56 is illustrated by 56.

Referring to FIG. 7A, a perspective view of the interlocking feature oftwo side panels 68 and 70 is illustrated. FIG. 7B is a top view of thesame interlocking feature of two side panels 68 and 70. As illustrated,the interlocking feature may involve a complementary male and femalepair of features which may be present all along the edge of the two sidepanels 68, 70 or may be present at particular locations, or inalternating locations along the edge of the side panels. Thisinterlocking feature may allow for easy assembly of the device.

Referring to FIG. 8, a perspective view of the device 72 sitting on amat 74 is illustrated. The mat 74 can be made of for example neoprene,rubber, plastic, or any combination thereof. The mat 74 has roundedcutouts 76 with removable inserts to allow cords to pass undercorresponding rounded ends of the side panel 78. The mat may assist withwater intrusion prevention, and may also assist with sound attenuationas well, depending on the material and thickness of the mat.

Referring to FIG. 9, an inside view of the device 80 is illustrated. Thetop panel 82 of the device has a double wall structure that creates anair dam 84. The fan 86 provides ventilation for the generator within thedevice. In particular implementations, the fan 86 is a centrifugal fan.FIG. 9 also depicts the air dam 88 created in the side panels 92 of thedevice 86 by the double walled structure. The device 80 is sitting onanother type of mat 90 that provides support for the side panels 92 ofthe device through grooves formed in the mat through two sets of flangesthat extend upwardly from the mat and sized to receive the cross sectionof the side panels 92.

Referring to FIG. 10A, another implementation of the device isillustrated. The top panel 94 may be coupled to a side panel 96 throughthe use of hinges 98. Likewise the other side panels 100 may be coupledtogether through the use of hinges 98. The panels 96 and 94 and 100 maythen be folded at the hinges for easier breakdown, transport andreassembly. FIG. 10B is a top see through view of the air dams createdon either side of the device by the double wall structure of the sidepanels. In another implementation the space of the air dam in one wallof a side panel can be used to add a heat exchanger. The heat exchangermay be used to heat and purify water in remote locations, for example inthird world countries without the ability to heat water. Also, in someimplementations, the heat exchanger may be included in the top panel andused to capture heat from this location. In various implementations, theheat exchanger/heat exchanging pipes may be incorporated into the innerwall on the various panels. In some implementations, the inner wall maybe a water wall formed of pipes designed to allow water to travelthrough the walls and capture heat from the generator.

Referring to FIG. 11A, an inside view of the device 102 is illustrated.This view shows two walls 104 and 106 of the side panel equally spacedby a spacer 108 added for stability (these help form the air dam). Theunder view of the fan 110 within the top panel of the device is alsovisible. FIG. 11B is another view of the inside of the device 102showing the details of the double walled structure, two walls 106 and104 supported by a spacer 108.

Referring to FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, another implementation of the device112 folded down for transport is illustrated. As can be seen, the wallsof the device 112 are formed of pressed metal and designed to fittogether with fasteners. When the walls and the top panel are alldisconnected, the size of the unit decreases greatly and it may betransported much more easily. In this implementation, the side panelsmay be fastened together first, and then the top panel placed over them.

In places where the description above refers to particularimplementations of a portable sound proofing device and implementingcomponents, sub-components, methods and sub-methods, it should bereadily apparent that a number of modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof and that these implementations,implementing components, sub-components, methods and sub-methods may beapplied to other sound proofing devices.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable soundproofing enclosure comprising:four side panels coupled together; and a top panel coupled to each ofthe four side panels, the four side panels and the top panel, the toppanel comprising a fan; wherein the panels form a cavity sized to fullyenclose a portable generator; wherein at least two of the four sidepanels comprise an air dam; wherein at least one of the side panelscomprises a plurality of louvers configured to allow air to be drawnthrough the panel; and wherein the bottom edges of the sides areconfigured to rest on a mat.
 2. The portable soundproofing enclosure ofclaim 1, wherein the air dam is formed from two walls comprised in eachof the at least two side panels.
 3. The portable soundproofing enclosureof claim 2, further comprising foam coupled to each of the two walls ofthe air dam.
 4. The portable soundproofing enclosure of claim 2, furthercomprising supports between the two walls of the air dam.
 5. Theportable soundproofing enclosure of claim 1, wherein the panels comprisea material selected from the group consisting of wood, metal,thermoplastics, plastics and any combination thereof.
 6. The portablesoundproofing enclosure of claim 1, wherein the side panels are formedthrough injection molding.
 7. The portable soundproofing enclosure ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of louvers comprise one of metal,plastic, and any combination thereof.
 8. A portable soundproofingenclosure comprising: four side panels coupled together; and a top panelcoupled to each of the four side panels, the four side panels and thetop panel, the top panel comprising a fan; wherein the panels form acavity sized to fully enclose a portable generator; wherein at least twoof the four side panels comprise an air dam; wherein at least one of theside panels comprises a plurality of louvers configured to allow air tobe drawn through the panel; wherein the bottom edges of the sides areconfigured to rest on a mat; wherein the fan is positioned below thesurface of the top panel in the top panel.
 9. The portable soundproofingenclosure of claim 8, wherein the air dam is formed from two wallscomprised in each of the at least two side panels.
 10. The portablesoundproofing enclosure of claim 9, further comprising foam coupled toeach of the two walls of the air dam.
 11. The portable soundproofingenclosure of claim 9, further comprising supports between the two wallsof the air dam.
 12. The portable soundproofing enclosure of claim 8,wherein the panels comprise a material selected from the groupconsisting of wood, metal, thermoplastics, plastics and any combinationthereof.
 13. The portable soundproofing enclosure of claim 8, whereinthe side panels are formed through injection molding.
 14. The portablesoundproofing enclosure of claim 8, wherein the plurality of louverscomprises one of metal, plastic, and any combination thereof.